Canada Picks ‘Gabrielle’ as Foreign-Language Oscar Entry

“Gabrielle,” Quebec director Louise Archambault’s drama about a developmentally disabled music prodigy who finds love with a fellow choir member, will represent Canada for consideration as a best foreign-language film Oscar nominee, it was announced Tuesday by Telefilm Canada, which chairs the pan-Canadian Oscar selection committee.

The film, which stars Gabrielle Marion-Rivard, won the audience award at the Locarno film festival this past summer, and also screened at the Toronto Film Festival earlier this month.

This marks the third time a film produced by Luc Dery and Kim McGraw of Micro_scope has been selected to represent Canada; the Montreal prodco’s previous titles Philipp Falardeau’s “Monsieur Lazhar” and Denis Villeneuve’s “Incendies” both went on to receive a nomination in the foreign-language category.

“Over the last several years, Canada’s film industry has done our country proud with three nomination for Best Foreign Language Film three years running,” said Telefilm executive director Carolle Brabant, referring to the above-mentioned nominees, and last year’s nominee “War Witch.”

“The selection committee certainly got it right these last three years, and we’re confident that we once again have a strong and very competitive candidate for the upcoming Oscar race,” Brabant continued.

” ‘Gabrielle’ has won over audience internationally, and there’s no question that the Academy members will succumb to its charms as well.”

“Gabrielle” is Archambault’s second feature. Her first, “Familia,” had its world premiere in Toronto in 2005 and won the festival’s best Canadian First Feature jury award.